Pictures: Soccer Night In Newtown

Chris Petersen, left, a father of five, with three children attending Sandy Hook Elementary School, is shown photographs by Chris Canetti, Houston Dynamo team president and a native of Guilford.

Chris Petersen, left, a father of five, with three children attending Sandy Hook Elementary School, is shown photographs by Chris Canetti, Houston Dynamo team president and a native of Guilford. (Richard Messina, Hartford Courant)

Hermann Trophy winner Marcus Tracy, who grew up in Newtown, and now plays in the MLS, was one of about 35 players who met about 1,000 kids at the event. Tracy signs a ball for Bryce Bisset, 11, of Newtown, during a question and answer period with the players.

Hermann Trophy winner Marcus Tracy, who grew up in Newtown, and now plays in the MLS, was one of about 35 players who met about 1,000 kids at the event. Tracy signs a ball for Bryce Bisset, 11, of Newtown, during a question and answer period with the players. (Richard Messina, Hartford Courant)

If the number of stars from Major League Soccer and the U.S. men's and women national teams and the number of joyful smiles that lit up this early January night are used to quantify that mission, Soccer Night in Newtown was a grand success. They signed autographs for more than 1,000 Newtown kids and their families over two sessions. They broke down into soccer games. There were giant inflatables to romp in. Read more.